In one embodiment, an ac-dc power converter can include: (i) a rectifier bridge and filter to convert an external ac voltage to a dc input voltage; (ii) a first energy storage element to store energy from the dc input voltage via a first current through a first conductive path when in a first operation mode; (iii) a second energy storage element configured to store energy from a second dc voltage via a second current through a second conductive path when in the first operation mode; (iv) a transistor configured to share the first and second conductive paths; (v) the first energy storage element releasing energy to a third energy storage element and a load through a third conductive path when in a second operation mode; and (vi) the second energy storage element releasing energy to the load through a fourth conductive path during the second operation mode.

Patent
   9144125
Priority
Dec 11 2012
Filed
Dec 02 2013
Issued
Sep 22 2015
Expiry
Dec 29 2033
Extension
27 days
Assg.orig
Entity
Large
3
7
currently ok
1. An ac-dc power converter, comprising:
a) a rectifier bridge and filter configured to convert an external ac voltage to a sine half-wave dc input voltage;
b) a first energy storage element configured to store energy from said sine half-wave dc input voltage via a first current through a first conductive path when in a first operation mode, wherein said first current rises during said first operation mode;
c) a second energy storage element comprising a transformer configured to store energy from a second dc voltage via a second current through a second conductive path when in said first operation mode, wherein said second current rises during said first operation mode;
d) a transistor configured to share said first and second conductive paths;
e) said first energy storage element being configured to release energy to a third energy storage element and a load through a third conductive path when in a second operation mode, wherein said third energy storage element is configured to generate said second dc voltage, and wherein said first current declines during said second operation mode; and
f) said second energy storage element being configured to release energy to said load through a fourth conductive path during said second operation mode, wherein a peak value of said first current varies in proportion with said sine half-wave dc input voltage.
2. The ac-dc power converter of claim 1, wherein:
a) said first energy storage element comprises a first inductor;
b) said second energy storage element comprises a second inductor; and
c) said third energy storage element comprises a capacitor.
3. The ac-dc power converter of claim 1, further comprising a control and driving circuit configured to receive peak current signals of said first and second currents, and to generate a driving signal to drive said transistor.
4. The ac-dc power converter of claim 1, wherein:
a) said transistor is on during said first operation mode; and
b) said transistor is off during said second operation mode.
5. The ac-dc power converter of claim 1, wherein a first power stage circuit comprises said first and third energy storage elements, and said first and third conductive paths.
6. The ac-dc power converter of claim 1, wherein a second power stage circuit comprises said second energy storage element, and said second and fourth conductive paths.
7. The ac-dc power converter of claim 1, configured to provide a substantially constant output current to drive a light-emitting diode (LED) load.
8. The ac-dc power converter of claim 1, wherein said first conductive path is formed during each switching cycle of said ac-dc power converter.
9. The ac-dc power converter of claim 1, wherein said first and second operation modes occur during a switching cycle of said ac-dc power converter.
10. The ac-dc power converter of claim 1, wherein said load is configured to receive energy from said sine half-wave dc input voltage through said first conductive path in said first operation mode.
11. The ac-dc power converter of claim 10, wherein said load is configured to receive energy from said second dc voltage through said second conductive path.

This application claims the benefit of Chinese Patent Application No. 201210538817.5, filed on Dec. 11, 2012, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The present invention relates to the field of electronics, and more particularly to an AC-DC power converter.

An AC-DC power converter is used to convert an AC voltage into a constant DC electrical signal, such as a DC voltage or DC current. Because of the relatively high power of AC-DC power converters, they are widely used to drive high power loads (e.g., motors, light-emitting diode [LED] lights, etc.). An AC-DC power converter can include a rectifier bridge to convert the external AC voltage into a sine half-wave DC input voltage for the conversion circuit. To reduce AC grid harmonic pollution, an AC-DC power converter may utilize a power factor correction (PFC) circuit through which a relative high power factor can be obtained.

In one embodiment, an AC-DC power converter can include: (i) a rectifier bridge and filter configured to convert an external AC voltage to a sine half-wave DC input voltage; (ii) a first energy storage element configured to store energy from the sine half-wave DC input voltage via a first current through a first conductive path when in a first operation mode, where the first current rises during the first operation mode; (iii) a second energy storage element configured to store energy from a second DC voltage via a second current through a second conductive path when in the first operation mode, where the second current rises during the first operation mode; (iv) a transistor configured to share the first and second conductive paths; (v) the first energy storage element being configured to release energy to a third energy storage element and a load through a third conductive path when in a second operation mode, where the second DC voltage is configured to be generated on the third energy storage element, and where the first current declines during the second operation mode; and (vi) the second energy storage element being configured to release energy to the load through a fourth conductive path during the second operation mode, where a peak value of the first current is configured to vary along with the sine half-wave DC input voltage, and an output of the AC-DC converter is configured to be substantially constant.

Embodiments of the present invention can provide several advantages over conventional approaches, as may become readily apparent from the detailed description of preferred embodiments below.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an example single-stage AC-DC power converter.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an example two-stage AC-DC power converter.

FIG. 3A is a schematic block diagram of a first example AC-DC power converter in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3B shows a conductive path diagram for the AC-DC power converter of FIG. 3A in a first operation mode.

FIG. 3C shows a conductive path diagram for the AC-DC power converter of FIG. 3A in a second operation mode.

FIG. 4A is a schematic block diagram of a second example AC-DC power converter in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4B shows a conductive path diagram for the AC-DC power converter of FIG. 4A in the first operation mode.

FIG. 4C shows a conductive path diagram for the AC-DC power converter of FIG. 4A in the second operation mode.

FIG. 5A is a schematic block diagram of a third example AC-DC power converter in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5B shows a conductive path diagram for the AC-DC power converter of FIG. 5A in the first operation mode.

FIG. 5C shows a conductive path diagram for the AC-DC power converter of FIG. 5A in the second operation mode.

FIG. 6A is a schematic block diagram of a fourth example AC-DC power converter in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 6B shows a conductive path diagram for the AC-DC power converter of FIG. 6A in the first operation mode.

FIG. 6C shows a conductive path diagram for the AC-DC power converter of FIG. 6A in the second operation mode.

Reference may now be made in detail to particular embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention may be described in conjunction with the preferred embodiments, it may be understood that they are not intended to limit the invention to these embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents that may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, in the following detailed description of the present invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it may be readily apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, processes, components, structures, and circuits have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the present invention.

Referring now to FIG. 1, shown is an example single-stage AC-DC power converter. In this particular example, the single-stage AC-DC power converter can include single-stage power factor correction (PFC) main circuit 10 and single-stage PFC control circuit 20. For example, the single-stage PFC main circuit may be a flyback topology, and the single-stage PFC control circuit can include current closed loop control circuit 21, current control circuit 22, flip-flop circuit 23, the isolation circuit, and multiplier U5.

Current closed loop control circuit 21 may sample the output current of the single-stage PFC main circuit. After flowing through the isolation circuit, the output signal of circuit 21 can be provided along with the input voltage to multiplier U5. Multiplier U5 can generate a signal that acts as a reference signal for the in-phase input terminal of current control circuit 22. The inverted input terminal of circuit 22 can sample the input current, and the output of current control circuit 22 can be provided to zero trigger circuit 23. Zero trigger circuit 23 can include voltage comparator U3 and RS flip-flop U4.

An output of current control circuit 22 and an output of voltage comparator U3 can be coupled to reset R and set S of the RS flip-flop, respectively. The output of RS flip-flop U4 can essentially make the input current vary along with the variation of the input voltage by controlling the state of switch S. In this way, the power factor of the single-stage PFC circuit may be improved relative to other approaches. However, when the output current has relatively large ripples (e.g., due to a transient load), the error of the output current may also be relatively large. Therefore, the input current may have relatively large errors, and may not accurately vary along with the input voltage variation, thus reducing the power factor.

Referring now to FIG. 2, shown is a schematic block diagram of an example two-stage AC-DC power converter. In this particular example, the AC-DC power converter can include two-stage power stage circuits 203 and 205, as well as a first-stage control circuit 204 and a second stage control circuit 206. The first stage power stage circuit 203 can receive the sine half-wave DC input voltage (e.g., Vin). First stage control circuit 204 can control first stage power-stage circuit 203 to make the wave of the input current vary along with the variation of the sine half-wave DC input voltage, so as to realize power factor correction. Second stage power stage circuit 205, which may be cascaded to the first stage power stage circuit, can receive output voltage Vout1 of the first stage power stage circuit 203. According to driving voltages required by light-emitting diode (LED) light 207, second stage control circuit 206 can control second stage power stage circuit 205 to provide substantially constant output current and output voltage.

The example AC-DC power converter of FIG. 2 may have relatively good operational effects on harmonic waves, and can achieve a relatively high power factor. This example power converter has an independent PFC stage, through which pre-adjustment can occur for the DC voltage provided to be DC-DC stage. Thus, the output voltage may be relatively accurate, and this approach may be particularly suitable for high power applications with good on-load capacity. However, at least two sets of control circuits and power transistors are utilized in this approach, thus increasing product costs. Further, the power density may be relatively low, and the power consumption may be relatively large. Thus, this converter structure may not be particularly suitable for small or middle sized power electronic equipment.

In one embodiment, an AC-DC power converter can include: (i) a rectifier bridge and filter configured to convert an external AC voltage to a sine half-wave DC input voltage; (ii) a first energy storage element configured to store energy from the sine half-wave DC input voltage via a first current through a first conductive path when in a first operation mode, where the first current rises during the first operation mode; (iii) a second energy storage element configured to store energy from a second DC voltage via a second current through a second conductive path when in the first operation mode, where the second current rises during the first operation mode; (iv) a transistor configured to share the first and second conductive paths; (v) the first energy storage element being configured to release energy to a third energy storage element and a load through a third conductive path when in a second operation mode, where the second DC voltage is configured to be generated on the third energy storage element, and where the first current declines during the second operation mode; and (vi) the second energy storage element being configured to release energy to the load through a fourth conductive path during the second operation mode, where a peak value of the first current is configured to vary along with the sine half-wave DC input voltage, and an output of the AC-DC converter is configured to be substantially constant.

Referring now to FIG. 3A, shown is a schematic block diagram of a first example AC-DC power converter in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. In this example, after being rectified and filtered by rectifier bridge BR and filter capacitor C1, the external AC voltage can be converted into sine half-wave DC input voltage Vin. The AC-DC power converter can also include a first energy storage element (e.g., inductor L1), a second energy storage element (e.g., transformer T1 including primary side windings Lp and secondary side windings Ls), and a third energy storage element (e.g., capacitor C2). In addition, the AC-DC power converter can include control and driving circuit 301, which can control a switching state (e.g., on or off) of transistor Q.

Referring now to FIG. 3B, shown is a conductive path diagram for the AC-DC power converter of FIG. 3A in a first operation mode. When in the first operation mode, control and driving circuit 301 can control transistor Q to turn on, and inductor L1, diode D1, and switch Q can form a first conductive path (denoted by an encircled “1”). The sine half-wave DC input voltage can store energy in inductor L1 by the first conductive path, and current I1 flowing through inductor L1 can rise (e.g., continuously) as part of the first conductive path.

Also during the first operation mode, capacitor C2, primary side windings Lp of transformer T1, and transistor or switch Q can form a second conductive path (denoted by an encircled “2”). In the second conductive path, DC voltage Vbus across capacitor C2 can release energy to primary side windings Lp. Transformer T1 can store energy, and current I2 of secondary side windings Lp can rise (e.g., continuously) as part of the second conductive path.

Referring now to FIG. 3C, shown is a conductive path diagram for the AC-DC power converter of FIG. 3A in a second operation mode. When in the second operation mode, control and driving circuit 301 can turn off transistor Q, and inductor L1, diode D1, primary side windings Lp of transformer T1, and capacitor C2 can form a third conductive path (denoted by an encircled “3”). Inductor L1 can release energy, and current I1 can decline (e.g., continuously) as part of the third conductive path. For example, a switching cycle of the AC-DC power converter can include the first and second operation modes.

A portion of the energy released by inductor L1 can be transferred to the load by transformer T1, and a remaining portion of the energy released by inductor L1 can be used to charge capacitor C2. DC voltage Vbus can be generated across the two terminals of capacitor C2. Secondary side windings Ls of transformer T1, diode D2, and capacitor C3 can form a fourth conductive path (denoted by an encircled “4”). The energy stored in transformer T1 can be transferred to the load through the fourth conductive path.

For example, diode D1 may be used to prevent current of the third conductive path from flowing back to the input terminal in the second operation mode. In addition, control and driving circuit 301 can receive peak current signals Ipk2 and Ipk2 of the first current I1 (flowing through inductor L1) and the second current I2 (of secondary side windings Lp). Control and driving circuit 301 can also control time toff1 and toff2. For example, toff1 is the time it takes for the current of inductor L1 to drop to zero from its peak value, and toff2 is the time it takes for the current of magnetizing inductance of transformer T1 to drop to zero from its peak value. By controlling toff1 and toff2, circuit 301 can generate a driving signal to control the switching action of transistor Q, so as to realize power factor correction and a substantially constant output current. For example, peak current signal Ipk1 and Ipk2 can be obtained by sampling the first current I1 and the second current I2 by any suitable peak value sampling circuitry.

In addition, the first and third conductive paths in this example can form a boost power stage circuit. The boost power stage circuit can receive sine half-wave DC input voltage Vin, and may generate a substantially constant DC voltage Vbus across capacitor C2. When a value of capacitor C2 is relatively large, the fluctuation of voltage Vbus across capacitor C2 can be relatively small. Also, the second and fourth conductive paths can form a flyback power stage circuit. The flyback power stage circuit can receive Vbus, and may generate a substantially constant output voltage Vo by the fourth conductive path, and a substantially constant output current Io to drive the load (e.g., an LED load).

In the example of FIGS. 3A-3C, the first conductive path of the boost power stage circuit and the second conductive path of the flyback power stage circuit may share transistor Q and control and driving circuit 301. Thus, transistor Q and control and driving circuit 301 can be utilized in both boost and flyback power stage topologies. As such, the structure of this example AC-DC power converter may represent a simplified control structure, as compared to other approaches.

The following will describe power factor correction realization and substantially constant output signals, as well as the conductive paths under different operation modes, for this example AC-DC power converter. According to operating principles of a flyback power stage circuit, when the excitation inductance current of in the transformer works at a boundary conduction mode (BCM) and the time at which the current of inductor L1 drops to zero is earlier than the time at which the excitation inductance current in transformer drops to zero, the output current can be calculated by the following formula (1).

I o = I pk 1 × n 2 × T off 1 T S + I pk 2 × n 2 × T off 2 T S ( 1 )

For example, Ipk1 may denote the peak value of the first current of inductor L1, and Ipk2 may denote the peak value of the second current of the secondary side windings of transformer T1. Also, n may denote a ratio of the windings between primary side windings Lp and secondary side windings Ls of transformer T1. Further, toff1 can denote the time it takes for the current of inductor L1 to drop to zero from its peak value, and toff2 can denote the time it takes for the current of excitation inductance of the transformer to drop to zero from its peak value. Also, tS may denote a switching period (e.g., the sum of ton and toff2).

For example, peak value Ipk1 of the first current can be obtained by the following formula (1.1).

I pk 1 = V in L 1 × t on ( 1.1 )

Here, Vin may denote a sine half-wave DC input voltage, L1 can denote an inductance value of inductor L1, and ton can denote a conduction time of transistor Q. Peak value Ipk2 of the second current can be obtained by the following formula (1.2).

I pk 2 = V bus L 2 × t on ( 1.2 )

Here, Vbus can denote the DC voltage across capacitor C2, and L2 can denote the inductance value of inductor L2 (see, e.g., FIG. 4A). In addition, time toff1 for the current of inductor L1 to drop to zero from its peak value can be obtained by the formula (1.3).

t off 1 = V in V bus + n V o - V in × t on ( 1.3 )

For example, Vo is the output voltage of the AC-DC power converter, such as provided at the load. Time toff2 may be the time it takes for the current of magnetic inductance to drop to zero from its peak value, and its value can be obtained by the formula (1.4).

t off 2 = V bus n V o × t on ( 1.4 )

Switching period tS can be indicated as below in formula (1.5).

t S = t on + t off 2 = V bus + n V o n V o × t on ( 1.5 )

Rearranging formulas of Ipk1, Ipk2, toff1, toff2 and tS into formula (1) of Io can provide formula (2).

I o = n 2 ( n V o + V bus ) × t on × [ V in 2 × n V o ( V bus + n V o - V in ) × L 1 + V bus 2 L 2 ] ( 2 )

From formula (2), other than sine half-wave DC input voltage Vin, all the other voltages in the formula may be substantially constant values. Thus, in order to make Io constant, conduction time ton of the transistor may be controlled to make the product of the conduction time ton and the first polynomial of formula (2) a constant value. Conduction time ton can be controlled by the control and driving circuit. In this example, control and driving circuit 301 can adjust conduction time ton to control the output current Io to be substantially constant according to peak value Ipk1 of the first current, peak value Ipk2 of the second current, time toff1 for the current of inductor L1 to drop to zero from its peak value, and time toff2 for the current of primary side windings to drop to zero from its peak value.

Control and driving circuit 301 can be implemented using any suitable circuitry. As can be seen from the above control solutions, the control and driving circuit can sample the primary side signal and calculate the output current according to the sampled primary side signal. In this fashion, substantially constant output current control can be realized by way of primary side control. According to operating principles of the boost power stage circuit, input current Iin (the first current of inductor L1) can be calculated by formula (3).

I 1 = I pk 1 2 × t on + t off 1 t S ( 3 )

According to formula (2), conduction time ton can be obtained as shown in formula (3.1).

t on = 2 × I o × ( n V o + V bus ) n × ( V bus + n V o - V in ) × L 1 × L 2 V in 2 × n V o × L 2 + V bus 2 × L 1 × ( V bus + n V o - V in ) ( 3.1 )

By rearranging the computational formulas of Ipk1, ton, toff1, tS and ton into formula (3) formula (4) can be obtained.

I 1 = V in × V o × I o × ( V bus + n V o ) × L 2 V in 2 × n V o × L 2 + V bus 2 × L 1 × ( V bus + n V o - V in ) ( 4 )

As can be seen from formula (4), as DC voltage Vbus is relatively large, the next multinomial can be approximated as a constant. The peak value of input current Iin can thus vary approximately with the variation of sine half-wave DC input voltage Vin, in order to achieve power factor correction. It should be noted that the above derivations of various formulas may be suitable for the derived result when the excitation inductance current of transformer T1 operates in BCM. Of course, transformer T1 may operate in other modes, and other formulas and/or derivations may apply thereto.

As can be seen from the above calculation procedure, in an AC-DC power converter of particular embodiments, for two-stage power stage circuits, only one transistor and one control and driving circuit may be utilised for energy transmission. In addition, power factor correction and output of a substantially constant electrical signal to power a load can also be achieved. When particular embodiments operate in a second operation mode, because energy of both the first energy storage element (e.g., inductor L1) and the second energy storage element (e.g., transformer T1) can be released to the load, the voltage-withstanding or breakdown requirement for the third energy storage element (e.g., capacitor C2) may be relatively low. In addition, particular embodiments utilize relatively simple but high accuracy control, with relatively small ripples and good overall stability, and thus are particularly suitable for the driving of LED type loads.

Referring now to FIG. 4A, shown is a schematic block diagram of a second example AC-DC power converter in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. In this particular example, the first energy storage element of the AC-DC power converter is inductor L2, the second energy storage element is transformer T1 and the third energy storage element is capacitor C4.

Referring now to FIG. 4B, shown is a conductive path diagram for the AC-DC power converter of FIG. 4A in the first operation mode. When in the first operation mode, control and driving circuit 401 can control transistor Q to turn on, and diode D1, inductor L2, and transistor/switch Q can form the first conductive path (denoted by an encircled “1”). The sine half-wave DC input voltage Vin can store energy in the inductor L2 through the first conductive path, and then current I1 of the inductor L2 may rise (e.g., continually) in the first conductive path. Also during the first operation mode, primary side windings Lp of transformer T1, diode D4, and capacitor C4 can form a second conductive path (denoted by an encircled “2”), and DC voltage Vbus across capacitor C4 can store energy in transformer T1 through the second conductive path. Also, the second current flowing through primary side windings Lp may rise (e.g., continually) as part of the second conductive path.

Referring now to FIG. 4C, shown is a conductive path diagram for the AC-DC power converter of FIG. 4A when in the second operation mode. In this mode, control and driving circuit 401 can control transistor Q to turn off, and inductor L2, transformer T1, capacitor C4, and diode D3 can form a third conductive path (denoted by an encircled “3”). As part of the third conductive path, inductor L2 may release energy, and the first current flowing through inductor L2 can decline (e.g., continually).

A portion of the energy of inductor L2 may be transferred to the load through transformer T1, and a remaining portion of the energy of inductor L2 may be for charging capacitor C4, and DC voltage Vbus can be generated across capacitor C4. When the capacitance of capacitor C4 is relatively large, DC voltage Vbus may be nearly constant. Also, secondary side windings Ls of transformer T1, diode D2, and capacitor C3 form a fourth conductive path (denoted by an encircled “4”), and energy stored in transformer T1 may be transferred to the load via the fourth conductive path.

As can be seen from the above, the first and third conductive paths of this example can form a boost-buck power stage circuit. The boost-buck power stage circuit can convert the sine half-wave DC input voltage Vin into a substantially constant DC voltage Vbus across capacitor C4. The second and fourth conductive paths can form a flyback power stage circuit. The flyback power stage circuit can receive DC voltage Vbus, and may generate a substantially constant output voltage Vo and a substantially constant output current Io to drive the LED load. For example, diode D3 can be used to provide a continuing current flow path for inductor L2 for the third conductive path. Also, diode D4 may be used to prevent the input voltage from having a discharge path to ground.

Referring now to FIG. 5A, shown is a schematic block diagram of a third example AC-DC power converter in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. In this particular example, the first energy storage element of AC-DC power converter in present embodiment is inductor L3, the second energy storage element is inductor L4, and the third energy storage element is capacitor C5.

Referring now to FIG. 5B, shown is a conductive path diagram for the AC-DC power converter of FIG. 5A when in the first operation mode. In this mode, control and driving circuit 501 can control transistor Q to turn on. Also, diode D1, inductor L3, capacitor C3, and switch Q can form a first conductive path (denoted by an encircled “1”). The sine half-wave DC input voltage Vin can store energy in inductor L3 through the first conductive path, and current I1 of the inductor T1 may rise (e.g., continually) as part of the first conductive path.

The sine half-wave DC input voltage may transfer energy to the load through the first conductive path. Also in the first operation mode, capacitor C5, inductor L4, capacitor C3, and switch Q can form a second conductive path (denoted by an encircled “2”). For the second conductive path, capacitor C5 may release energy, and inductor L4 can store energy. The current of inductor L4 can rise, and the energy of capacitor C5 may be provided to the load via the second conductive path.

Referring now to FIG. 5C, shown is a conductive path diagram for the AC-DC power converter of FIG. 5A when in the second operation mode. In this mode, control and driving circuit 501 can control transistor Q to be off. Inductor L3, capacitor C3, diode D5, and capacitor C5 can form a third conductive path (denoted by an encircled “3”), and current I1 of inductor L3 can decline (e.g., continually). Inductor L3 may release energy via the third conductive path, and a portion of its energy can be provided to the load, while a remaining portion of the energy from inductor L3 can be provided for charging capacitor C5. Also, DC voltage Vbus may be generated across capacitor C5. Also during the second operation mode, inductor L4, capacitor C3, and diode D5 can form a fourth conductive path (denoted by an encircled “4”), and inductor L4 may transfer energy to the load via the fourth conductive path.

Diode D5 may be used as a continuing current flow path of inductor L3 and L4. In this particular example, the first and third conductive paths may form a boost-buck power stage circuit. The boost-buck power stage circuit can convert sine half-wave DC input voltage Vin into a substantially constant DC voltage Vbus across capacitor C5. Also, the second and fourth conductive paths can form a buck power stage circuit. The buck power stage circuit can receive DC voltage Vbus, and may generate a substantially constant output voltage Vo and a substantially constant output current Io to drive the load (e.g., an LED load).

The following will describe power factor correction principles of the AC-DC power converter of particular embodiments, as well as the substantially constant outputs under different operation modes. According to operating principles of the buck power stage circuit, when current of inductor L3 operates in a discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) and inductor L4 operates in BCM, output current Io can be obtained by formula (5).

I o = I pk a 2 × T on + T off a T S + I pk 4 2 × T on + T off 4 T S ( 5 )

For example, Ipk3 can denote a peak value of the current of inductor L3, and Ipk4 can denote a peak value of the current of inductor L4. Also, toff3 can denote the time during which the current of inductor L3 drops to zero from its peak value, and toff4 can denote the time during which the current of inductor L3 drops to zero from its peak value. Further, ts may denote a switching period (e.g., the sum of ton and toff4). For example, the peak value of the current of inductor L3 can be obtained as below by formula (5.1).

I pk 3 = V in - V o L 3 × t on ( 5.1 )

Here, Vin can denote the sine half-wave DC input voltage, Vo can denote the output voltage, L3 can denote the inductance value of inductor L3, and ton can denote the conduction time of switch Q. The peak current of inductor L4 can be obtained as below by formula (5.2).

I pk 4 = V bus - V o L 4 × t on ( 5.2 )

Here, Vbus can denote DC voltage Vbus across capacitor C5, and L4 can denote the inductance value of inductor L4. In addition, time toff3 during which the current of inductor L3 drops to zero from its peak value can be obtained as below by formula (5.3).

t off 3 = V in - V o V bus + V o - V in × t on ( 5.3 )

Time toff4 during which current of inductor L4 drops to zero from its peak value can be obtained by formula (5.4).

t off 4 = V bus - V o V o × t on ( 5.4 )

A switching period ts of transistor Q can be determined as below by formula (5.5).

t S = t on + t off 4 = V bus V o × t on ( 5.5 )

By rearranging formulas of Ipk3, Ipk4, toff3, toff4 and ts into formula (5), output current Io can be determined as below per formula (6).

I o = t on 2 V bus × [ ( V in - V o ) 2 × V o ( V bus + V o - V in ) × L 2 + ( V bus - V o ) 2 L 4 ] ( 6 )

As can be seen formula (6), in order to make output current Io substantially constant, only conduction time ton may be controlled to make the product of conduction time ton and the following polynomial to be a constant value. Similarly, in this particular example, control and driving circuit 501 can adjust conduction time ton to control output current Io to be substantially constant by primary side control according to peak value Ipk3 of the first current of inductor L3, peak value Ipk3 of the current of inductor L4, time toff3 during which current of inductor L3 drops to zero from its peak value, and time toff4 during which current of inductor L4 drops to zero from its peak value.

According to the operating principles of a boost power stage circuit, input current Iin of the AC-DC power converter (the first current I1 of the third inductor L3) can be obtained by the following formula (7).

I 1 = I pk 3 2 × t on + t off 3 t S ( 7 )

For example, ton can be obtained from the above formula (6), as shown below in formula (7.1).

t on = 2 × I o × V bus × ( V bus + V o - V in ) × L 3 × L 4 ( V in - V o ) 2 × V o × L 4 + ( V bus - V o ) 2 × L 3 × ( V bus + V o - V in ) ( 7.1 )

By rearranging the computational formulas of Ipk3, ton, toff3 and tS into formula (7), the input current can be determined as below per formula (8).

I in = V in × V o × I o × V bus × L 4 ( V in - V o ) 2 × V o × L 4 + ( V bus - V o ) 2 × L 3 × ( V bus + V o - V in ) ( 8 )

From formula (8), it is clear that as DC voltage Vbus is relatively large, the next multinomial can be approximated as a constant. Thus, the input current Iin can vary approximately along with variation of the sine half-wave DC input voltage Vin, so as to realize power factor correction. As can be seen from this example, only one transistor and one control and driving circuit may be utilized to satisfy the circuit driving requirements. Also, power factor correction and output of a substantially constant signal can be achieved. Moreover, the voltage-withstanding requirement of the third energy storage element (e.g., capacitor C5) may be relatively small, further reducing overall costs.

Referring now to FIG. 6A, shows is a schematic block diagram of a fourth example AC-DC power converter in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. In this particular example, the first energy storage element of the AC-DC power converter is transformer T1, the second energy storage element is inductor L5, and the third energy storage element is capacitor C6.

Referring now to FIG. 6B, shown is a conducing path diagram for the AC-DC power converter of FIG. 6A when in the first operation mode. In this mode, the control and driving circuit 601 can control transistor Q to turn on. Also, diode D1, primary side windings LP of transformer T1, and transistor Q can form a first conductive path (denoted by an encircled “1”). In the first operation mode, sine half-wave DC input voltage can store energy in transformer T1 via the first conductive path, and current I1 of the primary side windings of transformer T1 can rise (e.g., continually).

Also during the first operation mode, capacitor C6, inductor L5, capacitor C3, diode D6, and transistor Q can form a second conductive path (denoted by an encircled “2”). Via the second conductive path, capacitor C6 can release energy, and inductor L5 can store energy. Also, current I2 of inductor L5 can rise, and energy stored in capacitor C6 may also be provided to the load.

Referring now to FIG. 6C, shown is a conductive path diagram for the AC-DC power converter of FIG. 6A when in the second operation mode. In this mode, control and driving circuit 601 can control transistor Q to turn off. The secondary side windings of transformer T1, diode D2, capacitor C3, diode D7, and capacitor C6 may form a third conductive path (denoted by an encircled “3”). Via the third conductive path, transformer T1 may release energy, and current I1 of transformer T1 can decline (e.g., continually). A portion of the energy transformer T1 may be provided to the load, while a remaining portion of the energy from transformer T1 may be for charging capacitor C6 to generate DC voltage Vbus.

Also in the second operation mode, in Dr. L5, capacitor C3, and diode D7 may form a fourth conductive path (denoted by an encircled “4”). Inductor L5 may transfer energy to the load via the fourth conductive path. Here, the first conductive and third conductive paths may form a flyback power stage circuit. The flyback power stage circuit can receive sine half-wave DC input voltage Vin, and may generate a substantially constant DC voltage Vbus across capacitor C6. Also, the second and fourth conductive paths may form a buck power stage circuit. The buck power stage circuit can receive Vbus across capacitor C6, and may generate via the fourth conductive path, a substantially constant output voltage Vo and a substantially constant output current Io to drive the load (e.g., an LED). In the example AC-DC power converter of FIG. 6A, the first and second conductive paths may share transistor Q and control and driving circuit 601.

In particular embodiments, an AC-DC power converter may satisfy circuit driving requirements with a transistor and a control and driving circuit, by using two-stage power stage circuits. Power factor correction can be achieved, and a substantially constant electrical signal (e.g., voltage, current) can be provided at the output. This approach can provide relatively high control accuracy, small ripples, and steady output signals. Also, the voltage-withstanding or breakdown requirement of the third energy storage element (e.g., capacitor C6) may be relatively small, and thus the overall costs can be reduced.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that other techniques or structures, as well as circuit layout, arrangement, components, etc., can be applied to the described embodiments. For example, the first stage power stage circuit of the may be used to realize a power factor correction function, while the second stage power stage circuit can be used to realize substantially constant control for the output electrical signal (e.g., voltage, current). In addition, the power stage circuitry can include any suitable topology (e.g., boost, buck, boost-buck, flyback, forward, etc.). As such, the conductive paths as described herein may vary, such as including additional or different components, based on the given power stage topology.

The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents.

Deng, Jian, Zhao, Chen

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Dec 02 2013Silergy Semiconductor Technology (Hangzhou) LTD(assignment on the face of the patent)
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